49ers Mailbag: Next targets for contract extensions

49ers Mailbag: Next targets for contract extensions

In the past two weeks, the 49ers have signed Cassius Marsh, Jimmy Garoppolo and Daniel Kilgore to multi-year contract extensions.

We open this edition of 49ers Mailbag with a question about where the 49ers will go from here. The 49ers own sole negotiating rights with their own free agents until March 12, when the early negotiating period begins.

Who is the next FA to get re-signed? (Max Moorman)The most-likely candidates for new contracts before the start of free agency could be inside linebacker Brock Coyle and defensive lineman Tank Carradine.

Coyle underwent shoulder surgery right after the season and faced a five-to-six month rehabilitation. In light of the uncertainty surrounding Reuben Foster, the only thing that would likely prevent the 49ers from pursuing a new contract with Coyle is if their medical staff is not optimistic about a full recovery.

Carradine proved to be a good fit for the 49ers’ 4-3 scheme on run downs. He believes he has more to offer as an inside pass rusher, but the 49ers did not have him on the field for any third-down play all season.

Other notable pending free agents, such as running back Carlos Hyde and safety Eric Reid, are expected to be available to other teams for the early negotiating period from March 12-14.

Under the right circumstances, the 49ers would like to bring back Hyde and Reid. But it seems unlikely the 49ers will blow them away with contract offers to prevent them from hitting the open market. The chances of them returning to the 49ers appears to be in direct correlation to how other teams value them as free agents.

There are a lot of fans so excited that they are talking about the Super Bowl next year. What are the expectations internally for next year? (Philip Malan)The expectations internally are for the 49ers to continue to build their roster, strengthening positions of need, and put themselves in a position to compete for a spot in the playoffs.

But there are so many variables – namely, injuries – that it’s difficult to have a black-and-white goal and at the end of the season declare a season a success or a failure.

Coach Kyle Shanahan did his best last week to tamp down any expectations for the 2018 season.

“Obviously, we're more excited going into this year because we know our team and we've added guys and we've kind of built this the way that we've wanted to,” Shanahan said. “But by no means are we done or even close to done. We have to continue to get better every single day, and it'll start with free agency. That comes first, and then it'll be the draft and then it'll be working in phase one, two and three, all the way into OTAs, and then it'll start with training camp. There is no quick answer to anybody.

“This league is so balanced, so competitive, it is so hard to win in this league that you never go into a year saying, ‘All right, we're good, we're (going to be in the) playoffs.’ You have to earn everything you get, and if you think anything differently, you will be humbled and embarrassed very quickly in this league. That's why I'm ready to go to work.”

Is there is some sort of timeline for the Niners to decide on what to do with Reuben Foster? (Jeremy Denton)In the past, when the 49ers have released a player due to off-field issues, they have done it immediately. The optics are that the 49ers did not find enough to convince them to immediately cut ties with Reuben Foster. He was arrested Sunday in Los Gatos on charges of domestic violence, threats and possession of an assault weapon.

The 49ers have only two decisions: Release Foster or keep him.

The collective bargaining agreement prevents the 49ers – or any other team – from doling out any punishment for actions that fall under the NFL’s policies on personal conduct or substances of abuse.

The normal course of events will have Fosber back in court for an arraignment on April 12, if the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office decides there is enough evidence to pursue charges. The 49ers’ offseason program is set to begin April 16.

In all likelihood, everyone should know a lot more about Foster's situation -- and his status with the 49ers -- at that time.

Hyde upbeat after accepting offseason challenge

Hyde upbeat after accepting offseason challenge

Running back Carlos Hyde entered his contract year with the 49ers without any guarantees from the 49ers’ new regime.

That was made abundantly clear to him during a meeting during the 49ers’ offseason program when running backs coach Bobby Turner, a veteran of more than 20 years as an NFL assistant, made a startling announcement to his position group.

“What challenged me is Bobby T. said I wasn’t the starting running back,” Hyde said on the 49ers Insider Podcast. “He made an announcement to the running back room that I’m not the starter. I felt some type of way about that.

“It took me back to when I was in college. That’s exactly what my college coach did. He came in and he was like, ‘Los is not the starter. 'Even though he was the starter last year, that doesn’t make him the starter this year.'

“So when Bobby T. did that, I’ve been in this position before, so I know exactly how to approach this.”

Hyde remained in Santa Clark between the end of the 49ers’ nine-week offseason program and the beginning of training camp to work out, watch film and eat healthy meals at the team’s cafeteria.

The 49ers’ offense has not run smoothly this season, but Hyde is 12th in the NFL with 639 yards rushing. He is fifth among running backs with a career-high 49 receptions for 295 yards.

Hyde said he has not given much thought to his future, but he has appeared to showed enough promise for the 49ers to be interested in re-signing him as a free agent. The 49ers have taken notice of Hyde’s attitude. He appears to be more upbeat than at any point since arriving in 2014 as a second-round draft pick from Ohio State.

Hyde said he has taken time to appreciate his situation of playing in the NFL, which seemed like an impossibility when he was experiencing a rough environment growing up in Cincinnati before moving to Florida to live with his grandmother after his freshman year of high school.

“I’m just blessed. I’m able to play this game that I love,” Hyde said. “This is a dream come true for me. As a kid, at one point in my life, I didn’t even think I’d make it to the NFL. So to actually make it this far in life, I have no choice but to wake up every day and be happy and be grateful. So I’m happy every day.”

John Lynch impressed with how Carlos Hyde is 'behaving and playing'

John Lynch impressed with how Carlos Hyde is 'behaving and playing'

Running back Carlos Hyde has proven to be a good fit for Kyle Shanahan’s offensive system.

And the man in charge of stocking the 49ers roster has taken notice of what Hyde has done on and off the field.

General manager John Lynch entered the playing field more than two weeks ago to greet Hyde with enthusiasm after Hyde was ejected for his tussle with Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Frostee Rucker.

Hyde got involved during the scuffle that ensued after Cardinals safety Antoine Beathea delivered an illegal hit on 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard as he was sliding.

“I was proud of Carlos because he fought for his teammate. He had his teammate’s back,” Lynch said on The 49ers Insider Podcast.

Sticking up for teammates was a lesson Steve Young and Jerry Rice imparted on the current team when they spoke to the team during training camp in August, Lynch said.

“That’s what I saw from Carlos,” Lynch said. “He got sick and tired of the refs not doing anything about our quarterback getting hit in the head. He finally had enough. I think at some point – particularly when you’re trying to build something – someone’s got to stand up and say, ‘No, we’re not having it. We’re not going to pushed around any more.’

“And did my emotions get the best of me? Maybe. But I was proud of Carlos, and not because he was kicked out of a game, because of the reason why. Because he had his teammate’s back. And I wanted to let him know that. I appreciated that.”

Hyde, whose contract is set to expire after the season, ranks 11th in the NFL with 592 yards rushing while averaging 4.2 yards per rushing attempt. He is sixth among running backs in the leauge with a 49ers-leading 42 receptions for 274 yards.

“Carlos has been fun to watch this year,” Lynch said. “He’s made a big-time commitment to the way we’re asking him to do things -- the way (running backs coach) Bobby Turner and Kyle are asking him to do things. He’s walking around the building with a smile. He’s enjoying playing football. You have to if you're going to have success in this game. We’re really pleased with the way Carlos is both behaving and playing.”